-B-

bone graft – bone that is removed from part of a patient’s body and transferred to another area; also can include bone marrow.

-C-

calculus - the hardened plaque that can form on neglected or prone teeth, commonly known as tartar.chronic periodontitis – most common form of periodontitis; form of periodontitis where supporting tissues are inflamed, gums recede, periodontal pockets form and bone and attachment loss are progressive.crown lengthening – procedure used to correct teeth that appear too short, or “gummy” smiles, by reshaping the gum and supporting tissues to expose more of the tooth.

-D-

dental plaque - a sticky buildup of acids and bacteria that causes tooth decay.denture - a removable set of artificial teeth.

-F-

flap surgery – a procedure where the infection is cleaned out of a periodontal pocket through an incision in the gum. The gum flap is then repositioned to help reduce the pocket and encourage healing.

-G-

gingiva – the tissues surrounding the teeth; also known as the gum.gingivectomy – the removal of gum tissue to eradicate a periodontal pocket.gingivitis - inflammation of gums around the roots of the teeth.grafts – living tissue is joined with injured tissue in order to repair a damaged area or counteract a defect.

-H-

halitosis – commonly known as bad breath.

-I-

implants - an implant permanently attached to the jawbone that replaces a missing tooth or teeth.

-M-

maintenance therapy – a continuing program used to help prevent further infection from occurring in patients who have already received periodontal treatment.

-O-

osseointegration – the three to six-month process where the bone attaches to a dental implant.osseous surgery – any surgery pertaining to the bone supporting the teeth.

-P-

periodontal ligament – tissue that affixes the tooth to the bone.periodontal pocket – a space formed when the gums pull away from the teeth; this occurs when plaque breaks down the gum and supporting tissues below the gumline.periodontics – an area of dentistry that specializes in the treatment of the teeth’s supporting tissues and placement and preservation of dental implants.periodontist– a general dentist who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of periodontal disease, as well as dental implant placement; additional training of up to three years after dental school is required for this specialization.

-R-

regeneration – procedure used to regenerate lost periodontal structures, such as bone, ligaments and connective tissue attachments, that support the teeth.ridge augmentation – procedure used to repair a defect in the bony ridge.root planing – the process of smoothing the root of the tooth so any remaining tartar is removed and clearing away any rough areas that bacteria below the gumline thrive in. root scaling – process involving the scraping and removal of plaque and tartar from the tooth either above or below the gumline.

-S-

sedation dentistry – refers to the use of sedation during dental treatment; endorsed by the American Dental Association as an effective way to make many patients comfortable during their dental visit.